In a groundbreaking achievement for India’s space technology sector, Ethereal Exploration Guild, a Bengaluru-based company specializing in reusable launch vehicles, has unveiled the country’s first-ever reusable rocket engine’s Thrust Chamber Assembly (TCA), named the Pegasus TCA.
This innovation marks a significant leap in aerospace technology, as it powers the upper stage of their Razor Crest Mk-1 rocket, incorporating a fully indigenous propulsion system.
A Breakthrough in Propulsion Technology
For the first time in fifty years, an upper stage rocket engine will utilize an entirely new, domestically developed feed cycle—the Full Flow Segregated Cooling Cycle (FSCC). This advanced design improves efficiency and reusability, positioning Ethereal Exploration Guild as a formidable competitor in the global space industry.
According to the company, the test-ready, regeneratively cooled Pegasus TCA is capable of:
- Generating 40kN of thrust
- Achieving a specific impulse (Isp) of 293 seconds at sea level
If these performance metrics hold during testing, the Pegasus TCA will become India’s most efficient semi-cryogenic Thrust Chamber Assembly.
Key Milestones in Space Innovation
With the Pegasus TCA, Ethereal Exploration Guild has accomplished several pioneering feats:
- World’s first RP-1/LOX engine TCA capable of operating on an expander cycle
- India’s first reusable rocket engine TCA
- India’s first bi-propellant-cooled engine TCA
- India’s most powerful domestically developed semi-cryogenic TCA
These achievements solidify India’s growing expertise in next-generation space propulsion systems.
Global Recognition: Selected for the I2A Launchpad Program
Ethereal Exploration Guild has also earned a coveted spot in the India to America (I2A) Launchpad program, a strategic initiative fostering collaboration between Indian innovators and the US Department of Defense, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and other major space and defense stakeholders.
This selection is particularly significant as Ethereal Exploration Guild is the only launch vehicle company among the eight Indian startups chosen—a testament to their cutting-edge advancements.
A Rising Challenger to SpaceX?
Founded in 2022, Ethereal Exploration Guild is led by Manu J. Nair, a Mechanical Engineer and IIAS Scientist-Astronaut Graduate, alongside former ISRO scientist Shubhayu Sardar (COO) and aerospace engineer Prashant Sharma (CTO).
With a vision to disrupt the commercial launch market, the company aims to offer launches at significantly lower costs:
$350 to $2,000 per kilogram to space—challenging the industry benchmarks and undercutting major players like SpaceX.
The Future of Space Exploration in India
With their revolutionary propulsion technology, cost-effective launch solutions, and international recognition, Ethereal Exploration Guild is poised to redefine India’s role in the global space race.
As the demand for affordable, reusable launch vehicles grows, this Bengaluru-based startup is setting the stage for a new era in space exploration—one where India emerges as a leading force in sustainable and cost-efficient space travel.